Zoe Horn

About My Challenge

I'm completing 3,307 push-ups in 24 days to raise awareness and funds for mental health in Australia. 

I've chosen to participate in this challange as I have seen the effects of Negative Mental Health and its ability to change not only the lives of the person experiencing it, but the people around them. In 2018 my Uncle Dan took his life, and when it happened, it changed the way myself and my family viewed mental health and the lives of everyone who knew him. At this time I was in year 4, and in the weeks following his death, I watched every adult in my life who I thought was invinsable suffer in grief. This pain is still one my family carries day to day, and we continue to celebrate his life by having a cake on his birthday, cheersing to him over dinner and playing a cricket match in his honour each year. Loosing someone so young is a pain no family, friend or peer should experience.

I have also experienced first hand the effects of a mental illness. In October 2025, after two long weeks of intensive hospital care and a year of rapid weight decline, I was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. Anorexia Nervosa is one of the most dangerous psychiatric disorders in the world, with the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder. The best way to describe what my disorder felt like was empty and a blur. All my social connections from my friends to my family where lost and I was a hollow version of the confident and happy person I used to be. Fortunately, I am surrounded by a loving and supportive family and friendship group who have all been by my side throughout my recovery. No person should go through what I did last year and no parent should have to see their child at their most vulnerable. This challange is a way to recognise how far I have come and raise awareness that mental health effects more than just the individual suffering. 

This challange aims to get conversation started, so that less individuals and their families go through the same thing mine did. 

You can show your support by making a tax-deductible donation to my page.

Every dollar helps #pushforbetter mental health outcomes in Australia by funding much-needed mental health services and initiatives.